Graphic courtesy of Donna Downey’s Simply Me
Week 34 and I almost forgot to post this week’s diversions. We are in the middle of a hurricane, except we are 1,380 miles away from our home there. I can only say I’m glad to be safe, and we hope that all our friends, neighbors and all beings down there are safe, too. Many have evacuated, but others who are dear to us decided to ride it out. We’ve been texting with friends and family in and from Florida, from Naples to LaBelle to Daytona to Sarasota to Miami. This is the worst hurricane to hit Southwest Florida in generations. At least that’s what Brian Williams on MSNBC just said. I believe it. Suddenly I don’t care about politics. Or dieting. Or finances. Or the family challenges that might grab me at another time. We are glued to the TV coverage of Irma. Right now Mike Bettis on the Weather Channel is leaning into the 95 mph wind blasting up US 41, also known as the Tamiami Trail. They have just reported that the water level has risen 5 feet in just 20 minutes, so the surge has begun, and fast.
Graphic from Polyvore
It is truly an opportunity to practice the program. If not now, when?
We have heard from friends and family from Florida and all over the country wishing us well. We’ve heard from friends in Canada and India, and I’ve heard from several clients aware we have a home in Naples and spend about half the year there. It’s so wonderful to know we’re loved and cared about and I don’t have anything more to say. But this…
Graphic courtesy of Not Salmon
I heard this poignant song on satellite radio this afternoon. Jessica Allossery, a beautiful, beautiful voice singing “I’ll Let You Go”. This is for all of you and all that we care about, remembering that everyone and everything that we love and care about is of the nature to change. That’s from Buddhism’s Five Remembrances.
Namasté
Shielagh 
We’re watching it all live on TV too – we have CNN on cable here in London…
It feels good to know you guys are with us, even across the pond!
Always… my husband’s family are in Louisiana so they’ve had their share of hurricanes over the years…
Thinking of you … and hoping that you parse your dosage of news coverage–the storm will do what it will do whether you remain glued to the TV screen or not … and diversion is healthy as it is a good way to dilute anxiety, and not have to view the same 90 seconds of reporter-buffeted-by-wind or storm-surge or empty-beach-where-water-left-to-regroup-for-surge and all the rest of the things that make the minutia of filling in 24/7 coverage but don’t need to be constantly watched. Just saying. xoxo
Not sure which pond … but I’m with ya! 😉 xoxo
Oops! That was meant for Ruth and somehow got attached to your comment. Unless we consider the Delaware or the Hudson…🙃
Hudson and the Delaware are both significant ‘ponds’ 😉
You’re so correct. I’ve done two loads of laundry, picked tomatoes in my garden, taken some nice Pennsylvania photos, and planned a tasty dinner, and I’m now going to go prepare it. Oh, and I wrote this blogpost and found all the images I wanted, plus that music video. So I’m good. My Apple Watch tells me my heart rate, and it was 91 bpm around 1:30, and most recently was 70 bpm. So it’s all good! Thanks, my dear friend. 😻🙏
i’m glad you’re safe & dry!
may it be so for others.
sweet song for letting
it all go 🙂
Thanks for this, David. We are cautiously optimistic about our home, but whatever happens, we are ok.
I have been following Irma closely also, as I have family in Miami. They decided to stay put and ride it out. Hope your Naples home comes through it!
Thank you so much, Sandy! Our mayor says Naples was largely spared. I have seen video of mobile homes surrounded by water in Naples. We are anxiously awaiting news of our little street. I hope your family made it through with no damage. Parts of Miami had a harder time than I think was expected.
Hope your home makes it, but glad to hear you are ok.
Thank you so much!